Benefits of Biking to Work

I used to be really afraid of biking to work. I was afraid of cars at rush hour and making left turns. But after biking on main roads more frequently, I’ve become more comfortable with it and I’m  not afraid anymore! I’m not an expert on biking by any means, but I figured I’d write a post about it because if I can do it, anyone can (I have the same motto for running a marathon.)

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For me there are benefits of biking to work instead of driving.

It’s better for the environment

It saves gas money

You get an automatic workout

You avoid traffic and highway congestion

You can spend time outside in awesome weather when its nice out

It helps build confidence on the bike

I suggest to anyone who’s been thinking about it to try it! If you are nervous you can also ride the route on a Sunday morning when there will be much less traffic to get a feel for it. This helps you get practice riding for when it comes time to ride to work! Just be careful–always wear a helmet and pay attention to drivers and the rules of the road.

The No-Running Update

Today will mark three weeks since the Vermont City Marathon, and three weeks since I last ran.

The absence of running also means lack of blog content, so this is why there have been minimal blog posts lately. I’m a firm believer if I don’t have anything worth writing about, to not write anything at all. But I figured I’d post an update about my lack of running.

No running has given me more time for a lot of other workouts! And also time for relaxing on Saturday mornings. :-D

Hot Yoga

I’ve been going to a Hot Flexibility Flow once a week. I love this class. It’s perfect for runners since they focus a LOT on hip openers. I find myself a lot more flexible and comfortable in the poses when I’m not running a gazillion miles, so yoga has been much more enjoyable. I also tried my first advanced power yoga class on Friday! Had I been training for something, I never would have tried this class because I’d be afraid I’d be too sore to run. Thankfully I decided to try it because it was awesome!

Strength Training

I’ve been going to Body Pump  1-2x a week the past few weeks, still loving it! I’ve been also strength training with free weights before spin class.

Spinning

Usually I try to make a spinning class once a week, too. It’s been great to have spin to go to on days that it rains, since I can’t bike outside!

Cycling

Last Saturday there was no rain, so Chris and I rode our bikes to the Art on Lark festival. We were about a mile away and my seat sunk so low I couldn’t ride. I should have known better to ride anywhere without tools to fix something like that–but we stopped a local bike shop called the Downtube to get a multi-tool. I bought one of those, along with a kickstand (they installed it right then and there for $4 extra), a new bike lock, and a tire pump that can be attached to the bike under the water bottle cage. I proudly installed the pump (by myself!) when I got home. The girl at the bike shop was super friendly and very helpful and I did not find myself intimated there at all. One of my fears of walking into a bike shop is getting stared at like a freak because I’m not a super elite cyclist. I didn’t feel like that at all here here–I loved the shop! I just signed up for a women’s bicycle repair class happening there in a few weeks.

Kettlebell

The class I signed up for this summer got canceled, so I bought a kettle DVD on Amazon Instant Video for $8 (way cheaper than the class!) and I did it once. Its 25 minutes long but has three levels. The first level was a bit too easy for me, so next time I’m going to combine Levels 1 and 2 for a 50 minute workout.

As for my foot (the reason I haven’t been running), it has been feeling so much better lately. I’m almost 100% pain free during the day. It only gets a bit sore after going for long walk at lunch and then coming back and sitting for hours. It still feels a lot better then it was.

However…..even though I’m finding time now to do other workouts, I do miss running!

What’s Inside My Gym Bag

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Look, its my gym bag! I’ve always wanted to do one of these posts–I finally had the time to do it! This is my gym bag–but the funny thing is, I rarely bring it to the gym. Maybe I should just call it my running bag, since it goes with me to most races and when I drive somewhere to run.

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I haven’t touched anything in here since the Vermont City Marathon. I haven’t ran since then!

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That’s a lot of stuff.

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1. Aquaphor | 2. Tums | 3. Hat | 4. Sunglasses | 5. Visor | 6. Tylenol | 7. Body Glide | 8. Tennis ball | 9. Makeup removal wipes | 10. Kleenex | 11. Injinji toe socks | 12. Deodorant | 13. ProCompression socks | 14. Spare hair tie | 15. A medal from the Camp Chingachgook Challenge Half Marathon (never took it out, apparently!) | 16. Garmin Forerunner | 17. Pepper spray  | 18. Flashing tail light | 19. Pink Lemonade Nuun | 20. A cowbell | 21. Tape and pre-wrap |  22. Spibelt | 23. VS body spray | 24. Handheld Waterbottle

What’s in your gym bag that you can’t live without?

Soy Chorizo, Spinach and Cheese Mini Quiches

Good morning, happy Monday! Hope everyone had a fantastic weekend. This weekend I finally had time to make some mini quiches (or mini egg cups, whatever you like to call them). I wanted something quick, easy and full of protein to have for breakfast during the week so I made a batch of these little guys–they are so tasty! And they are crust-less! Enjoy.

Soy Chorizo, Spinach and Cheese Mini Quiches
Adapted from SkinnyTaste Broccoli and Cheese Mini Egg Omelets

1 egg quiche

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of egg whites
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1/4 package of soy chorizo
  • 1/2 cup reduced fat shredded cheese
  • 2 cups spinach, steamed
  • salt & pepper, to taste

Instructions
1. preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. spray muffin tin with non-stick spray (or use muffin liners)
3. beat eggs and egg whites in large mixing bowl
4. add chorizo, cheese, spinach, salt and pepper to egg mixture and mix well
5. evenly distribute egg mixture to muffin tin
6. bake for 20 minutes

makes 12 mini quiches

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nutrition facts for one quiche

egg muffins

 

National Running Day

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Happy National Running Day! Hope everyone that runs can find time to hit the pavement or trails today to celebrate.

I run because I love the feeling of accomplishment it gives me, especially  after tackling a tough run. I run because the stress relief it provides after a workday.  I run because I love to see the sun come up before everyone else and when everything is quiet. I run because I love to experience nature when I’m running through wooded trails. I love the joy I get when crossing the finish line of a marathon.

Why do you run?